I have been practicing veterinary medicine for 37 years.  In that time I have seen many things: diagnostic techniques, treatments and even diseases themselves (What disease you ask? Dalmatian Bronzing Syndrome!) fall into disfavor and eventual oblivion.  Why? Because people like Laurie take the time to ask why.  Take for example the use of tramadol.  I used to use it, everyone said it worked and it was great.  In my practice I used it as part of a multi-modal treatment for chronic pain, so the observable results were blurred by the entire treatment regimen. But when people started to critically look at it, no one could find the evidence to substantiate the claims. 

Sitting pretty is a fun exercise...my own 4year-old Portuguese Water Dog Kiki has been voluntarily doing it since we rescued her at 6 months of age, spending at least twenty minutes a day looking like a meerkat, sometimes even deciding she wants to be a biped and walking around without encouragement from us.  But I don't see anyone coming up with any real reason as to why it is so important and not potentially harmful, especially a reason that will stand up against the back-drop of Laurie's well-thought discussion. 

It is easy to sit back and criticize.  It is more important that we all say, "huh," and decide what we want to do with new information; take it to heart or do our own research and if we disagree, have a discourse that includes our findings.  

For me and my clients, "sit pretty" will no longer be a recommended exercise.  But Laurie, can you give my dog Kiki a call and explain it to her?

Michael Petty

Past-President IVAPM

CCRT

Certified Medical Acupuncturist

Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management

Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner

Co-Author AAHA 2015 Pain Management Guidelines

Author Dr Petty's Pain Relief for Dogs.